Get inspired

On this fresh new day of the fresh New Year, get inspired by life. Get inspired by the possibilities for love and achievement, for friendship and fulfillment.

Get excited about the opportunities for growth and rich experience that come with every turn of events. Get excited about living in a world that's filled with abundance in every direction.

Get passionate about making a difference in your own life and in the lives of those around you. Get passionate about expressing and fulfilling those dreams that are uniquely yours.

Right now, throughout your whole being, feel how truly good life can be. Carry that goodness with you as you move forward and create a bright new future.

Give meaning to each moment. Give the best of yourself to everything you do.

Get inspired, get excited, get motivated, get busy and get going. Take the very real opportunity to make this the most outstanding year you've ever experienced.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Explore new possibilities

There are always plenty of possibilities, with new ones being born every moment. On a regular basis, pick a new possibility and explore it fully.

Turn down a road you've never traveled before, and find out what's there. Be curious, and let your curiosity lead you in the direction of new discoveries.

Inject some fresh, new experiences into your life. Challenge yourself and add richness to your life by stepping outside your regular routine.

Surprise your senses with things you've never experienced before. Wake up your spirit by uncovering previously hidden treasures in your world.

Add to life's list of joys. Give new depth and richness to your perspective.

The good things in your life are yours now because there was a time when you chose to find them. Explore some new possibilities, and there is much new value you can find.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Make the commitment

How do you transform what you think you can do into what you know you can do? You make the commitment to get it done.

How do you take something that you'd like to have and make it into something you actually do have? You make the commitment to make it happen.

Choose your commitments carefully, based on what's truly important to you, and on what will positively push you beyond your limitations. And then once you make a commitment, treat it as a true commitment, doing whatever is necessary to fully follow through.

Take your commitments seriously. Give them the priority they deserve.

Well-chosen commitments will demand much from you. In meeting those demands, you grow stronger, more capable, highly experienced and resilient.

Commit to just a few things at a time that you know will bring out the best in you. Then work your way through those commitments to higher and higher levels of achievement and fulfillment.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Think backwards

When you're planning to travel, where do you usually begin that planning? You begin with the destination.

You cannot know what direction to go unless you know where you would like to end up. So a successful plan begins with the destination and works its way backwards to the point where you begin.

When you desire to reach a specific goal, the same kind of approach will work very well. Start with the end goal, and develop your plan backwards from there.

When you're clear about the goal, you can easily figure out what would be the last step necessary to reach that goal. When you know the last step, you can determine what the step before that will be.

You can develop your plan, step by step, from the end to the beginning. When you do, instead of wondering what the best first step would be, you'll know precisely what to do first, what to do after that, and what to do after that.

However ambitious the goal may be, there is something you can do right now to get off to a solid start. Visualize the goal, work backwards step by step, and you'll know precisely how to begin.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Frustration into achievement

How do you transform a frustration into an achievement? First, step back and get some perspective.

Look objectively at the reason why you are frustrated. Find the specific positive belief or value within yourself that makes your frustration feel so negative.

Instead of directing your frustration at some person or object or situation outside yourself, look inward. See that the energy of your frustration is attempting to validate and express some key positive value that you sincerely treasure.

Zero in on that value and focus your attention on it. Discover that there are plenty of positive, creative ways to give life and expression to whatever you value.

Consider the positive possibilities, and realize that within your frustration is the passion to bring those possibilities to life. Use your frustration to discover something good about who you are, and then use it as motivation to express that goodness.

There's something positive that your frustration can tell you. Find it and bring it to life.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Be happy just because you can

Do you wish to be happy? Then be happy.

Yes, it truly is as simple as that. Happiness is a state that you can enter whenever and wherever you choose.

You don't necessarily have to be happy about anything in particular. You don't necessarily need any person, thing or situation to make you happy.

Be happy just because you can. Be happy just because it feels so good.

Happiness empowers you and improves your outlook. Happiness attracts positive, supportive people into your life, and guides you toward positive situations.

Let go of your resistance, and let happiness flow from your heart. Fill this very moment with the happiness you create.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Share the joy

Life is best when it is shared. At no time is that more evident than on Christmas day.

All the various customs and traditions of the season serve to bring people together in a spirit of joy and celebration. It's a powerful reminder of how good it can feel to connect with others in a genuine, personal and heartfelt way.

Though we have many differences, we also have much in common. Though there is great value in our diversity, that value exists because we are able to connect with each other in ways that are positive and fulfilling.

Even the most accomplished, self-sufficient, independent people have an inherent desire to share life's experience with others. Though there is much we can accomplish as individuals, there is far, far more that we can experience by connecting and cooperating with each other.

This is a special, beautiful day. It is made even more beautiful by the opportunity to share with others.

On this day, and every day, live the joy and share the joy. Celebrate the connections that give life so much meaning and richness.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

What's truly important

Remember today what's really important to you. Look past those fleeting concerns and activities that seem so urgent, and look into what you truly care about.

Generously give quality, focused time to the special people in your life. Accept them for who they are and listen without judgment to what they have to say.

Spend some quiet time with your own best thoughts. Peacefully consider the goodness and value in your life, and feel the warmth that those thought bring.

Softly treasure the moments of this day. Each moment is an opportunity to give more value and support to those things that matter most.

Keep yourself connected to what's truly important to you. From that perspective, you'll find great fulfillment in all that you do.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Stick with it

Carefully consider each commitment before making it. Then, when you've made the decision to do it, stick with it.

When you have a good, solid, clearly defined objective and a meaningful reason for reaching it, get started. And once you've started, see it through.

Getting just halfway through a dozen projects might give you some good experience. Yet you won't have much to show for that experience.

Working all the way through just one project will take you much less time. And when you're finished, you'll have something of real, lasting value.

The way to keep going is to keep reminding yourself why you started in the first place. When the going gets tough, you can stick with it by having a compelling reason to do so.

What a shame it would be to quit when you're just a few days shy of reaching the goal. Stick with it, and enjoy the many fruits of your efforts.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Demanding challenges

Be eager to take on the difficult tasks. For they're the ones that enable you to create great value.

Meaningful challenges will motivate and inspire you to be your best. They'll compel you to sharpen your skills and to discover new resources.

As long as you're going to be passing the time, you might as well make it count for as much as possible. So spend your time solving the complicated problems and tackling the difficult challenges.

When you're willing to take on the tough assignments, there will always be opportunities to do so. And you'll enjoy rich rewards for completing those assignments.

Fulfillment never comes from taking the path of least resistance. The biggest payoffs come from successfully working through the most demanding challenges.

When there's difficult work to be done, jump in and do it. And the best opportunities will always be yours.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Limiting beliefs

Have you become addicted to limiting beliefs? Do those limiting beliefs soothe you and comfort you while at the same time holding you back?

In the short term, it can be much easier to tell yourself you can't do it. Yet when you look at the big picture, it's much better to go ahead and do the work of achievement.

You can comfort yourself today by believing that your lack of progress is not your responsibility. However, you'll soon be paying for that short-term comfort with long-term regret.

It is difficult work to acknowledge and follow the best of your possibilities. And it is well worth the effort.

For your dreams are calling to you, and they'll never be satisfied until you do something about them. You have what it takes to reach them, and they know it.

Break free of your dependence on limiting beliefs. And achieve the great things that only you can bring to life.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Carry great joy

Carry great joy with you throughout this day. Spread it everywhere you go.

The quickest, most accessible way to experience joy in this world is to give it to others. Offer a sincere smile, a kind word, or a bit of assistance just because you can, and see how incredibly good it makes you feel.

The better you feel, the more you'll get accomplished. Express joy even though you have no specific reason, and you'll discover that joy is its own best reason.

With no sense of guilt, with no embarrassment, be the joyful person you know you can be. Give action and expression to the feeling of how truly fortunate you are to be living this day.

With joy as your constant companion, you can make a difference everywhere you go. By focusing on the positive side, you make everything more positive.

Add more joy to life today. And see how much brighter you can make your world.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Effective focus

Stop worrying about what you're not getting done. Focus on being effective at what you're doing right now.

Fretting and complaining that there's not enough time will only waste more of your time. Just take one task, let go of your thoughts about everything else, and get it finished.

At any point in time, you're either focused on one thing or focused on another. It is always your choice to make.

When the distractions entice you to lose focus, remind yourself that you can always indulge in them later. And get right back to the work at hand.

You'll have plenty of time to do what you wish to do if you'll simply spend your time actually doing it. You can be enormously productive when you put the power of focus to work for you.

Give all your attention to the task at hand. Feel the power, feel the effectiveness of keeping yourself tightly and effectively focused.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Align your habits

You are making decisions all the time and those decisions directly affect the way your life unfolds. Your level of success and fulfillment depends on how often and how well those decisions line up with your dreams.

Certainly when you're contemplating the big, noticeable decisions, you make sure they align with your values and purposes. But what about all the little momentary decisions you're constantly making?

Those seemingly small decisions have great power because there are so many more of them. And they're decisions you can often make without even thinking about them.

Those unthinking decisions are known as habits. A habit is a decision you make once that is carried out again and again.

Though each action done by habit may be small, the cumulative effect on your life can be enormous. The way to move your life in the direction you choose, is to make sure that all your many habits are working with you rather than against you.

Take the time and make the effort to align your habits with your goals and dreams. Improving those little habits can truly be the biggest decision you make.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Think success

To be successful, think of yourself as successful. Then act on your positive thoughts.

The biggest difference between sloppy incompetence and brilliant excellence is in your attitude. Truly respect yourself and the work you're doing, and that work will bring results of great value.

The thousands of thoughts you think each day form the filter through which you experience life. What is your filter keeping out, and what is it letting into your world?

Your choices determine the direction your life goes. And those choices flow directly from what you are thinking.

Think success, think achievement, think positive, empowering thoughts of fulfillment and joy. Think of the most desirable possibilities and construct in your thoughts the pathways to those possibilities.

Think success again and again, until there is no room in your mind for any doubt. Act boldly on your positive thoughts, and be the success you envision.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Savor the challenge

Are you waiting for things to get better before taking action? The fact is that things will not get better until you go ahead and get yourself moving forward.

The best time to start is always now. For no matter what the outside circumstances may be, the most effective strategy is to get your inner strength revved up and rolling right away.

If you're waiting for things to be perfect, you'll wait forever. Instead, grab hold of what is here and now and find a way to make positive use of it.

Though your excuses for delaying may be very reasonable and impressive, those excuses won't move you forward. Circumstances will improve when you make the effort to improve them.

Even the smallest effort is much better than doing nothing. And small efforts that bring results will motivate you to take bigger, more effective steps.

You know from experience that you can do what you set your mind to do. Set your mind on the best of what can be, and savor the challenge of making it happen.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

For you

Life's best dreams are for you because you can follow them. Great and fulfilling success is for you because you can achieve it.

Magnificent beauty is for you because you can appreciate and enjoy it. Love is for you because you can lose yourself in it.

This moment is for you because you can make good and valuable use of it. The challenges are for you because you can transform them into achievements, and grow stronger in the process.

The ups and downs, the joys, distractions, setbacks, opportunities, pleasures, pains and delights are all yours. Because you can experience them and give your own special meaning to them.

This day, this moment, this world, this life is for you to see and to live and to express in your very own special way. Feel the magnificent opportunity of it all.

The possibilities are astounding. And there's a big, uplifting, fulfilling possibility that's just perfect for you right now.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Sweet, profound fulfillment

Now is when your past mistakes can be corrected. Now is when the disappointments can be transcended.

With positive thought, intention and action, you can transform weakness into strength. With purpose, focus and commitment, you can manifest dreams into reality.

There is a great abundance of energy available to you in this very moment. For in this moment you are alive and filled with the compelling desire to make a difference.

You long to exert your influence precisely because you can. Your deepest purpose knows that this is its opportunity to come to life.

Let go of the limitations that you have imagined. Allow your best possibilities to emerge from your thoughts and efforts.

This is the moment where your most sincere expectations become real. Expect sweet, profound fulfillment and experience yourself making it happen.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Your passion

Those things you love and those things you can't stand both point to a powerful part of you. They point to your passion.

Passion gives real power to whatever you do. Passion pushes you in a fulfilling direction that holds true meaning for your life.

With passion for the goal, you'll find a way to make it there. When passion is driving your actions, you can successfully work through any obstacle.

Your authentic passion is nothing to be ashamed of. For it connects with the very core of the beautiful and unique person you are.

Let your passion come to life. The more fully you express it, the more quickly you will move toward the fulfillment of your deepest desires.

In your passion is your very own special reason why. Hold it close and keep it burning brightly, for in your passion is the drive to reach your dreams.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Why you desire

What would you desire if everything you now desire were already yours? If you possessed every object you could ever imagine possessing, what would drive you forward?

If all your goals were reached and even exceeded, what would get you going each morning? If every problem in your life were solved, where would you direct your energy?

Certainly it is necessary to pay attention to all the outer concerns. But if that's all you ever think about, you can become hopelessly frustrated and disillusioned.

Every now and then, dig deeper. Remind yourself why you desire what you desire.

Following your outer desires can help you to express your purpose, yet those desires are not your purpose itself. And so even if you fail to achieve a particular goal, the pure, authentic purpose behind the goal is still intact.

Instead of being frustrated when you experience disappointments in your outer world, you can choose to be inspired and creative. For you still have your purpose, and you have the opportunity for finding an exciting new way to express it.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Go ahead and decide

You won't make your decisions easier just by putting them off until later. When a decision is called for, go ahead and make it.

If you keep your options open for too long, those options will no longer be available to you. Choose one option based on your best information, and go with it.

Give sufficient thought and consideration to your decisions, but don't drag them on endlessly. The sooner you get started implementing a decision, the more effective you'll be.

Accept the fact that you won't make a perfect decision every time. And remember that you'll have opportunities to adjust your approach if things don't work out the way you planned.

You cannot predict the future yet there is much you can do to intelligently and effectively prepare for it. Instead of agonizing over what might or might not happen, get busy creating value that will be there no matter what happens.

Go ahead and decide. The sooner you decide, the more time and energy you'll have to make the decision work out the way you intended.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Too precious to ignore

You could probably get by with not doing much today. But then you would have wasted an entire unique and highly valuable day.

You could come up with some very plausible excuses for not taking action. But then you would have to settle for excuses when you could have had accomplishment and fulfillment.

You could avoid the possibility of disappointment and discomfort by hiding away from life. But then you would miss out on all the beautiful, enriching possibilities as well.

Choose instead to accept and experience the ups and downs of life as each moment unfolds. Decide to give your very best to the opportunity that is this day.

Focus on a truly meaningful goal and put forth the effort to make it happen. Take bold, effective steps in the direction of your dreams.

Life is far too precious to just ignore. Step forward, do what you know you can do, and live the richness of this beautiful day.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Staying focused

To keep yourself focused, keep yourself moving. To keep yourself focused, keep taking on meaningful challenges.

Watch yourself as you make a difference in the world. Experience firsthand that your actions have consequences, and that will motivate you to take more focused action.

Continue reminding yourself of the reasons why you have chosen to do what you do. Make sure your daily tasks are aligned with the goals you've set for yourself.

Keep the objective in sight. When you can clearly see where you are going, you'll naturally keep working your way there.

You have the power to achieve what you choose to achieve. Focus each moment and each action on your dream, and the dream will surely and steadily become real.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Always learning

When you don't understand something, that's an opportunity to learn. And when you do understand, you can also learn.

From every situation, from every encounter, from every experience, you can learn. From success, and from disappointment as well, there is much you can learn.

Why is it so important to learn? Because knowledge leverages your every action.

The more you know, the more effective you can be. With sufficient knowledge, what was once impossible becomes possible and what was once merely a possibility becomes real.

Learning is not just for students in school. The most valuable, useful learning often comes from the rich experiences of everyday life.

Each moment is a unique opportunity to learn. Value and make use of those opportunities, and life will steadily grow more richly rewarding.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Always joy

Pleasures cease to be pleasurable when they start to enslave you. Are you missing out on true and lasting joy because you spend all your time and energy chasing empty pleasures?

It's great to feel good. But don't settle for mere pleasure when you can have joy and fulfillment instead.

Enjoy yourself, and yet make it meaningful enjoyment. With each thing you do, stop and consider what value it will add to the quality of your world.

When pleasure has no meaning it is no longer pleasurable, and just becomes a sad pursuit. Empty pleasures quickly fade, and leave behind nothing but the emptiness.

Instead of chasing pleasure, allow joy. While pleasures are specific and occur only when conditions are right, joy is unconditional and available at any time, in any place.

Enjoy the pleasures when they come, but don't become enslaved to them. For real, meaningful joy asks nothing of you and is always yours to live.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Fill your world

Be a friend, and you will have a friend. Give, and you receive.

Teach, and you will learn. Offer encouragement, and you'll be lifted up.

Listen intently, seeking to truly understand, and you will be understood. Be respectful and you'll be respected.

Life is a mirror that reflects back to you what you think, what you expect, what you feel, and what you do. The way to improve the reflection is to improve what's being reflected.

Be the love, be the compassion, be the strength, be the responsibility that you wish to see in others. Be the best example you can imagine and you'll be pleased with how your example is followed.

The way you most sincerely live is magnified by all that is around you. Live true to your highest purpose, and that purpose expands to fill your world.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.

Your vision

What is your vision for your life? Have you thought about it lately, or ever?

There is some vision, some dream, some goal so absolutely compelling that you cannot help but make it happen. Find it and connect with it.

There is a purpose within you that longs to be expressed. In following that purpose you will bring great value and fulfillment to your own life and the lives of those around you.

Feel the intensity of that purpose. Surrender to it and allow it to pull you powerfully forward.

It is never too early and never too late to immerse yourself in the empowering glow of your purpose. Now is when you can know the overwhelming sweetness of true fulfillment.

Step decisively toward those most treasured dreams that spring from your purpose. Right now, in this moment, fulfill the best of what you know life can be.

-- Ralph Marston

Copyright (c) 2009 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. From The Daily Motivator at http://greatday.com where you will find an archive of more than 3,000 positive messages plus books, CDs, motivational videos and more. Permission is given to post online only if this entire notice is included.